Diorama Painting Techniques: Roofs Using Artist Tube Acrylics

16 August, 2012 0 comments Leave a comment

Clay Tile Roofs

To paint clay tile roofs you'll need;

• Flat Black spray paint or Flat Black Primer and these tubes of artist acrylics;
• Ivory Black
• Titanium White
• Red Ochre
• Yellow Ochre
• Raw Sienna
• Burnt Umber
• Satin Glazing Liquid
• Satin Acrylic Varnish
• 1/4" flat paint brush
• # 3 paint brush
• Tap water, for cleaning brushes and for keeping the brush moist while painting.
• Paper towels
• Mixing tray
• Popsicle sticks for mixing paints on your tray.

 The brand of these supplies doesn't matter, buy what you can afford. Remember, these paints will last longer than model paints that come in small jars or tins. Also, all of the mixing proportions stated in this article are only approximate and you'll have to adjust them to mix the exact colors you want.

 When using acrylics, it's important to paint several thin coats rather than applying one thick coat. This way, fine details on the piece won't be filled in.

 After thoroughly washing the plastic or resin parts in warm soapy water to get rid of any release agents, spray paint the clay tiles with the Flat Black Primer. The black primer will make all of the coats of paint over it deaper looking. Let dry for 24 hours. After the black has completely dried, paint all of the tiles with Red Ochre. Let dry for about 1 hour. Then mix a dark and light Red Ochre, a dark and light Raw Sienna, a dark and light Burnt Umber, and a dark and light grey. Now paint these colors randomly on the tiles in a downward direction the way rain would run off the tiles, trying NOT to make a checkerboard pattern. Let dry for about 1 hour. Mix Yellow Ochre and Burnt Umber 50/50 and add a bit of Titanium White to the mix to lighten it a bit. Add about 12 drops of Satin Glazing Liquid to this to make a glaze. Paint a very thin transparent coat over all of the tiles. Let dry for about 4 hours. Now mix a medium grey using 90% Titanium White and 10% Ivory Black. Add about 12 drops of Satin Glazing Liquid to this to make a glaze. Paint a very light coat of this on the tiles in a downward direction. This glaze will tone down the colors a bit. Let dry for about 4 hours.

 A glaze is a transparent coating of paint that allows the color under it to still show through. Make sure to let each layer of glaze to completely dry for about 4 hours before adding the next glaze layer. In the modelling world, artist glazes are referred to as filters.

 To add streaks of acid rain and soot, use Ivory Black with about 12 drops of Satin Glazing Liquid and, using a # 3 brush, paint very subtle streaks in a downward direction in some spots. Let dry for about 4 hours. Next, coat everything with Satin Acrylic Varnish, and you're finished!

Slate Roofs

To paint slate roofs you'll need;

• Flat Black spray paint or Flat Black primer and these tubes of artist acrylics;
• Ivory Black
• Titanium White
• Primary Cyan
• Goldocker
• Burnt Umber
• Satin Glazing Liquid
• Satin Acrylic Varnish
• Sponge, ripped into small pieces.
• 1/4" flat paint brush
• # 3 paint brush
• Tap water, for cleaning brushes and for keeping the brush moist while painting.
• Paper towels
• Cotton buds (Q-Tips)
• Mixing tray
• Popsicle sticks for mixing paints on your tray.

 The brand of these supplies doesn't matter, buy what you can afford. Remember, these paints will last longer than model paints that come in small jars or tins. Also, all of the mixing proportions stated in this article are only approximate and you'll have to adjust them to mix the exact colors you want.

 When using acrylics, it's important to paint several thin coats rather than applying one thick coat. This way, fine details on the piece won't be filled in.

 After thoroughly washing the plastic or resin parts in warm soapy water to get rid of any release agents, spray paint the slate roof with the Flat Black primer. The black primer will make all of the coats of paint over it deaper looking. Let this dry for 24 hours. After the black has completely dried, mix a dark blue / grey using 85% Titanium White and 15% Ivory Black with a bit of Primary Cyan added. Sponge this on randomly all over the tiles. Let dry for about 1 hour. Next, mix a medium blue / grey using 90% Titanium White and 10% Ivory Black with a bit of Primary Cyan added. Sponge this on randomly all over the tiles. Let dry for about 1 hour. The final grey that's applied, is a light blue / grey using 95% Titanium White and 5% Ivory Black with a bit of Primary Cyan added. Sponge this on randomly all over the tiles. Let dry for about 1 hour. By now, all of the slate tiles should be completely covered in a bluish grey color. If some of the black is showing, touch it up with any of the greys that you mixed. Mix a medium brown using Goldocker and Burnt Umber 50/50. Add about 10% Titanium White to 90% of this mix to make a medium brown. Now add about 12 drops of Satin Glazing Liquid to this and make a glaze.

 A glaze is a transparent coating of paint that allows the color under it to show through. Make sure to let each layer of glaze completely dry for about 4 hours before adding the next glaze layer.

 Brush the brown on very thinly in a downward direction the way rain would run off the roof, and let dry for about 4 hours. Make another glaze using Ivory Black and about 12 drops of Satin Glazing Liquid and paint streaks running down the tiles in some spots to represent acid rain and soot marks. Let this dry for about 4 hours and then seal everything with Satin Acrylic Varnish. Now you're done.

Wood Shingle Roofs

To paint wood shingle roofs you'll need;

• Flat Black spray paint or Flat Black primer and these tubes of artist acrylics;
• Ivory Black
• Titanium White
• Yellow Ochre
• Goldocker
• Burnt Umber
• Satin Glazing Liquid
• Satin Acrylic Varnish
• 1/4" flat paint brush
• # 3 paint brush
• Tap water, for cleaning brushes and for keeping the brush moist while painting.
• Paper towels
• Mixing tray
• Popsicle sticks for mixing paints on your tray.

 The brand of these supplies doesn't matter, buy what you can afford. Remember, these paints will last longer than model paints that come in small jars or tins. Also, all of the mixing proportions stated in this article are only approximate and you'll have to adjust them to mix the exact colors you want.

 When using acrylics, it's important to paint several thin coats rather than applying one thick coat. This way, fine details won't be filled in.

 After thoroughly washing the plastic or resin parts in warm soapy water to get rid of any release agents, spray paint the wood shingle roof with the Flat Black primer. The black primer will make all of the coats of paint over it deaper looking. Let dry for 24 hours. After the black has completely dried, paint a coat of Yellow Ochre onto the shingles. Let dry for about 1 hour. Next, mix Goldocker and Burnt Umber 50/50, add about 10 drops of Satin Glazing Liquid, and paint a light coat onto the shingles letting the Yellow Ochre show through a bit. Brush this in a downward direction making streaks to simulate the grain of the wood. Let dry for about 4 hours. Now mix a light grey using 95% Titanium White and 5% Ivory Black, then add about 12 drops of Satin Glazing Liquid to make a glaze. Brush a very light coat onto the shingles in a downward direction, then let dry for 4 hours.

 A glaze is a transparent coating of paint that allows the color under it to still show through. Make sure to let each layer of glaze to completely dry for about 4 hours before adding the next glaze layer.

 Add about 12 drops of Satin Glazing Liquid to some Ivory Black to make a glaze. Paint streaks in a downward direction to simulate acid rain and soot in some spots. Let dry for about 4 hours, then coat everything with Satin Acrylic Varnish and you're finished. Happy diorama modeling!

David Gurinskas / Owner of Full Circle Hobbies